Recruiting Impact: Isaiah McDuffie

CuseNation.com breaks down the impact of 2017 linebacker Isaiah McDuffie committing to Syracuse.

Syracuse picked up their second 2017 commitment on Monday in linebacker Isaiah McDuffie out of Bennett High in Buffalo (N.Y.).

Regional Impact

Landing McDuffie, a talented in-state athlete with offers from Penn State and Washington, is big. Early commitments are important for Syracuse as they continue to make efforts to keep in-state talent home. McDuffie is a player that Syracuse fell in love with and made a big push for early in the process.

How will he help Syracuse in 2017? He sends a message to other in-state players that they can too stay close to home to play major college football. Will he be able to help players like 4-stars Isaiah Wilson or Romello Martin? That remains to be seen.

The bigger impact will probably be on local product Noah Jordan-Williams, a talented wide receiver who Syracuse views as an elite prospect. Expect McDuffie to try to help Syracuse in his recruitment.

But also, his cousin Dylan McDuffie is Isaiah’s cousin and is a 2018 prospect. Syracuse is recruiting him as well. Should the Orange make a push, having Isaiah in the mix will only help their cause.

Positional Impact

The Syracuse defense needs aggressive, versatile players and McDuffie fits the bill. He gives Syracuse an early commit that allows them to continue to recruit players for several positions and slot him where he’s needed.

Players like Will Harper and Taylor Riggins are both versatile athletes in 2016, and now Syracuse is starting to stock pile them with the addition of McDuffie. Whether he ends up at linebacker, safety or corner remains to be seen.

You can never have enough players who are 6-foot-2, over 200 pounds and run a 4.5 or faster 40-time. His explosiveness will project very well within Scott Shafer’s aggressive defense.

Where Does Syracuse Go From Here?

The immediate attention over the next few weeks will go towards solidifying their position with defensive end Jamal Holloway and athlete Moe Neal. Holloway did not take his visit to Rutgers as they did not get back to him.

An Old Dominion trip is still coming this weekend, but the Orange are in a good spot at the moment.

Neal does not have any visits scheduled between now and his August 1st announcement date. Expect Syracuse to continue to show him the love between now and then in the hopes of landing one of their top targets in the cycle.

Then training camp starts and Syracuse will look towards the 2015 season. Official visits will be on the horizon and the rest of the class could start filling up at that point.

Final Thoughts

Whenever you can get a commitment from an in-state prospect early, it is a good thing. Especially for Syracuse as they try to keep kids home. Syracuse starting early on 2017 is a good thing as the current staff continues to assert themselves as solid recruiters.